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The Trouble with Star Trek 3

As I’m sure most of you know, in 2009 JJ Abrams rebooted the legendary Star Trek franchise in a unique and clever way, by setting it in a different timeline, leaving the door open for so many re-imaginings in what should’ve a long and prosperous (he he) film series. It all looked so good; they have some of the best actors going – Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch – but by the looks of things, it’s all unfortunately ground to a halt.

The first entry to the rebooted Star Trek universe came out in 2009 to quite positive reviews, and the film currently holds an 83/100 Metascore, to summarise, it did pretty well. The follow up, Star Trek: Into Darkness was released in early 2013, and even though it boasted Benedict Cumberbatch (I won’t say who as), it wasn’t received as positively, however it still has a Metascore of 74, so it’s really not surprising a third film was on the cards.

Currently untiled, Star Trek 3 is due for release in 2016, but I’d be highly surprised if it does come out then. JJ Abrams confirmed he wasn’t going to direct this one, since he was offered to helm Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and be honest, who wouldn’t accept a Star Wars offer? Initially, Roberto Orci, a producer on gems such as Now You See Me, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and also executive producer of the two previous Star Trek films, was on to direct, and that in itself was a risk because he hasn’t directed anything before. However, early reports suggested William Shatner, who played Kirk on the original 1966 TV show, was in talks of a cameo, and a draft had been turned in, so it was all looking up. However, the film was dealt a perilous blow earlier this week, when Orci dropped out of directing. Rumours suggest Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, The World’s End) is a favourite to helm the project, but recently he did drop out of Ant-Man, so he obviously has something else planned. It’s not clear where the film is headed, and I refuse to believe that even if Wright did join the project, they’d have it done to meet the 2016 date. Well, if they did, I’m fairly sure it would be rushed and nye on unfinished, and Trekkies weren’t all that keen on Into Darkness, so people’s expectations will be high. Here are some of the reasons I think it won’t be done:

No director

Still on the first draft of the script

Way behind schedule – BvS, due also for release in 2016, has recently wrapped, and they’re still going to spend years editing, so imagine how long a CGI-fest like Star Trek 3 would take?

Although nothing is set in stone, the future isn’t looking too good for this series. Maybe, after almost sixty years of the franchise running, it’s time for the crew of the USS Enterprise to beam off on their last mission very soon.

What do you think? Do you think Star Trek 3 will make the deadline? Who would you like to direct it? Whatever your opinion, comment below and be sure to share on Facebook and Twitter!